Week of December 31, 2025
Week of December 31, 2025
Today *Ages 0-5 Noonyear’s Eve storytime – 10 a.m., Clovis-Carver Public Library, 701 N. Main St., Clovis. Information: 575-769-7840 *Stitch Addicts stitch group – 1:30 p.m., Clovis-Carver Public Library, 701 N. Main St., Clovis. Information: 575-763-9687 *Midnight at The Well – 6 p.m.-1 a.m., The Well, 311 S. Main St., Portales. DJ, crafted cocktails, midnight toast. Information: 575-693-7622 *New Year’s Eve Celebration – 7 p.m.-midnight, Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1608 S. Ave. D, Portales. Open to the public....
Friday *Oath of office administration for elected Portales city officials – 5:30 p.m., Memorial Building, 200 E. Seventh St., Portales. Reception to follow. Information: 575-356-6662 Monday *City of Portales Planning and Zoning Committee – 5:30 p.m., Memorial Building, 200 E. Seventh St., Portales. Information: 575-356-6662 Tuesday *Filing day for Clovis municipal officer candidates – 8 a.m.-5 p.m., City Clerk’s office, 321 N. Connelly St., Clovis. Four city council positions and one municipal judge position....
SANTA FE -- Duke Rodriguez, a cannabis entrepreneur and former state Cabinet secretary who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, was the featured guest last week on Around the Roundhouse, The New Mexican's political podcast. The first question was whether Rodriguez has "resided continuously" in New Mexico for five years as required by the New Mexico Constitution. "I have absolutely, 100% resided for five years preceding the election and, in fact, I've continuously resided for the last 54 years in New Mexico,"...
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has refused a request from the state of New Mexico to rehear arguments regarding a 2024 law that would require a seven-day waiting period for gun purchases. A challenge to the law previously was heard by a panel of three appellate court judges, who remanded the case to a lower court in August with an opinion the law could be unconstitutional. After it was signed into law, the New Mexico Waiting Period Act quickly faced challenges by two residents, and its implementation has been...
SANTA FE -- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has unveiled an $11.3 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2027 that includes 7% salary increases for state police and firefighting personnel, and an additional $160 million to continue her highly touted universal child care initiative. The proposed budget represents a $500 million increase, or 4.6%, over the current fiscal year. Although the spending increase would be lower than previous years, the governor's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 promises to set off a debate with...
TUCUMCARI — A local man was booked into the county jail on Christmas eve on a felony charge after being accused of shoving an assistant wrestling coach. Charles Duwayne Davis, 62, of Tucumcari was charged with battery upon a school employee and jailed last Wednesday morning. The charge is a fourth-degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a fine up to $5,000. Davis was released from jail Friday on a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond. According to online court records, Tucumcari police were summoned to Rhodes...
Tuesday is signup day for anyone who wants a seat on the Clovis City Commission. Commissioners Juan Garza, (District 1), Gene Porter (District 2), Debbie Zamora (District 3) and Megan Palla (District 4) are up for re-election. Terms are for four years. Municipal Judge Vicki Kelley’s position will also be on the March 3 ballot. Tuesday is also signup day for that post. Interested candidates can find forms and more information at the website Cityofclovis.org/write/elections/ Declarations for candidacy should be filed...
On this date … 1940: A Portales woman had added airplane to her long list of travel modes. Fannie Black, 90, said she had wanted to ride in every vehicle imaginable. “She lives near the Portales municipal airport where students fly daily, and felt the desire to get her feet off the ground,” said Leon Jones, a Portales merchant who made Black’s flight dream come true on Christmas Day. After her airplane trip, she listed other ways she’s traveled: ox carts, ox wagons, horse wagons, hacks (she did not specify if she...
Clovis Booked The following were recently booked into the Curry County Adult Detention Center: • Armando Alvarado, 45, probation violation • Israel Barela, 23, driving on suspended or revoked license • Michael Booth, 35, aggravated driving while under the influence, open container, driving while license suspended or revoked • Marc Calbert, 38, failure to comply with specific requirements, battery against a household member • Samantha Calderon, 35, probation violation • Kamyle Clark, 24, making a false report ...
TUCUMCARI — A local man accused of shooting another in the leg was ruled incompetent and dangerous by a district judge and ordered committed to a state mental hospital for treatment. District Judge Timothy Rose issued the order earlier this month against Jaime Juanitio Soria, 21, of Tucumcari, who was charged this summer on counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, negligent use of a deadly weapon, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen...
The Portales City Council on Dec. 16 approved a fire department request to seek funding for an autoloading powered stretcher. Portales Fire Chief T.J. Cathey presented the request, explaining the grant would fund the purchase of a powered stretcher designed to reduce physical strain and injuries for emergency responders. Cathey said the grant process differs from other funding programs in that the city must initially cover the cost of the equipment before being reimbursed. “They don’t send us the money right away,...
TUCUMCARI — Quay County commissioners on Monday appointed deputy clerk Ellen White to serve as interim county manager as the current manager is due to depart in late January. Commissioners approved the appointment after about a 40-minute executive session to discuss personnel matters. White was summoned into the commission chambers for about five minutes during the closed session. When open session resumed, commission Chairwoman Jerri Rush said White would serve as interim manager to replace Daniel Zamora, who announced...
Staff at The Eastern New Mexico News asked area public officials to respond to this question: If you could make one thing happen in 2026 that’s related to your position as a public official, what would that be? Here’s what they said: Pat Boone, state Sen., R-Elida: If I could make one thing happen in the new year, it would be to elect a Republican governor in New Mexico. A close second would be for Republicans to gain control of the NM House of Representatives. Jack Chatfield, state Rep., R-Mosquero: I would solve the...
Eastern New Mexico University last month named Art Briles its new head football coach, succeeding Kelley Lee who was fired after back-to-back 3-8 seasons. Briles was The Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year in 2013 and led Baylor and Houston to 10 bowl games and a 99-65 record over 13 seasons. He was fired by Baylor after the 2015 season, following a much-publicized players scandal. ENMU is his first head-coaching college job since Baylor. Briles will be paid...
A Clovis couple were shot to death in their bed; their son one of two charged with murder. A horserace track and casino – a racino -- launched efforts to relocate to Clovis. Eastern New Mexico University hired a high-profile football coach. Portales adopted a four-day school week. A fire shut down one of Tucumcari's more popular eateries. And plans were made for a regional mental health facility and a new hospital in Tucumcari. All of those things happened in 2025. Here's a...
A Christmas evening crash resulted in the death of a motorcycle rider in Clovis, police said. Malachi Maldonado, 22, was ejected from his motorcycle as a result of the collision and later died at a Lubbock hospital. Police said the driver of the other vehicle involved was treated for minor injuries at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis. The wreck happened just before 6 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of 21st and Prince streets. According to a police news release: • Upon arrival, officers observed a motorcycle with...
A 15-year-old boy was shot to death Monday afternoon in the 2200 block of Chapparal Drive in Clovis. Police Chief Trevor Thron said the incident occurred “as a result of he and his friends playing with firearms in their bedroom.” Thron said one of the juveniles was handling a firearm “that was believed to be unloaded when it discharged,” according to a witness. Police said the boy was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center but did not survive his injuries. “Following the shooting, the victim’s friends...
Hillcrest Senior Life Center 1704 E. Seventh St., Clovis Menu Today: Meatloaf, herb-roasted potatoes, green beans, whole-wheat roll, tropical fruit salad Thursday: Closed Friday: Chili dog, pinto beans, broccoli and red pepper pepper with margarine, orange, chocolate pudding Jan. 5: Open-face hot turkey sandwich, green peas, Brussels sprouts with unsalted butter, tropical fruit salad Jan. 6: Beef enchilada casserole, pinto beans, cucumber and tomato salad, gelatin with pears Activities Today: 10 a.m. Sit to Fit; 1 p.m....
What a year 2025 has turned out to be for yours truly. Romance from beginning to end and a 66th birthday tucked into the mix. My wife of six months reminded me our first date had been on Dec. 30, 2024. That means I’ve now been romancing her for exactly a year today. We had both been trying the online dating scene without much luck -- no sparks but lots of warning flags. I’d about given the idea up when she popped up. We had one Facebook friend in common, even though we...
Some say Lora Armendariz is energetic. She's also a world traveler, a mom, an educator and a runner who likes to play games. Q: Give us a brief history of you. Where did you grow up? How did you end up here? What are you doing these days? A: I grew up right here in eastern New Mexico, mostly on the Rim Rock Ranch in Bull Canyon. After graduating from House, I moved away, got married, lived around the world, and then ended up back here 15 years later. Right now, I serve as an...
Services Click Here to View Obituaries • Ross Ainsworth, 79, died Dec. 22. Information: Agape Funeral Chapel • Priscilla Archibeque, 80, died Dec. 26. Information: Wheeler Mortuary • Warren Brakebill, 85, died Dec. 23. Information: Wheeler Mortuary • Garrett Dodson, 35, died Dec. 27. Information: Wheeler Mortuary • Shelley Dudley, 56, died Dec. 24. Information: Steed-Todd Funeral Home • Ardyth Elms, 79, died Dec. 25. Information: Steed-Todd Funeral Home • Luis...
LITTLEFIELD – Portales High’s girls erased a 14-point halftime deficit on Monday and opened play in Littlefield’s Wildcat Classic with a 36-33 victory over Dumas. Senior guard Maria Lujan scored eight of her nine points in the fourth quarter for the Lady Rams (5-5), including a go-ahead 3-pointer to break a 32-32 tie and give Portales its first lead of the night. She later added a free throw to help secure the victory. Senior guard Molly Ainsworth also had nine points for PHS, while junior April Macho-Benavides...
TUCUMCARI — The Tucumcari High girls basketball team will host its annual Lady Rattler Invitational tournament that includes a game on New Year’s Day. The Lady Rattlers (3-5) face Hatch Valley (1-6) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Rattler Gymnasium, after the Cobre-Santa Rosa clash at 5 p.m. Tucumcari then plays Cobre (4-3) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, following the Hatch-Santa Rosa contest at 5 p.m. The Lady Rattlers close the round-robin event against district foe Santa Rosa (5-4) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with Cobre taking on...
CLOVIS – Santa Fe High junior guard Desi Martinez picked a bad time to find her scoring touch, at least as far as Clovis High's girls were concerned. Lady Demons coach Nate Morris said Martinez averaged in double figures last year, but hasn't been close to that so far this season. On Saturday, though, she found the range for 16 points and helped key Santa Fe High to a seesaw 50-45 win over the Lady Wildcats at Rock Staubus Gymnasium. "Usually for us, we're more even-keel...
CLOVIS – For one quarter on Monday, Clovis High's boys looked like an offensive machine. Shooting the ball with confidence, the Wildcats took control of their game against Amarillo Caprock, going on a 22-2 run en route to a 52-37 victory over the Longhorns at Rock Staubus Gymnasium. Junior guard Kyden "K.D." Everett scored a season-best 13 points for the Cats (7-5), including two first-half 3-pointers and a 5-for-5 showing from the free throw line. No one else reached...
PORTALES – The Eastern New Mexico University men’s basketball is ranked in the NCAA Division II Top 25 for the first time since 1996, according to the university. The Greyhounds (10-1, 3-0 Lone Star Conference), winners of 10 straight, checked in at No. 24 in the National Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll, released on Dec. 23. They are one of five LSC squads in the Top 25, joined by No. 8 Lubbock Christian, No. 13 St. Edward’s, No. 14 West Texas A&M and No. 20 St. Mary’s. It’s the 12th time a...
